Ever been in the situation where you’re walking to class and come across a person wearing letters you don’t recognize or know as your own? In your mind, you may be thinking they just may be that new member you had not spoken with before or one of those Greeks you just don’t bother to acknowledge half the time.

With the number of Greek organizations on campus divided among four different councils, it is only natural for this to occur. Since the Inter Fraternity (IFC) and Panhellenic (PC) fraternities and sororities have a larger body of members, it becomes difficult to distinguish the organizations that make up the Multicultural Greek Council (MGC), but even more so, those of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC). To an outsider looking in, all the letters and names just blur together. People seen wearing the shirts, jackets, or bags are defined all together by one term: Greeks.

While we may seem to be one entity as Greeks, four separate councils exist for a reason. We are not all carbon copies of each other; each has something unique to offer those interested in us, like the diversity of the student body that has furthered the very growth and progress seen on this campus. Many of the changes and extensions of Greek life can be attributed to NPHC, a humble council you may not have known about. 

First founded in 1930, The National Pan-Hellenic Council was formed to overcome the racism faced by the Black community in Greek life as well as school admission. They have grown to include nine international African American based sororities and fraternities, known collectively as the Divine Nine. While these organizations largely have members of African American or Black descent, membership is not limited. 

Since its establishment on February 23, 1993, at the University of Florida, NPHC strives to “foster cooperative actions of its members in dealing with matters of mutual concern as well as a focus on the Black community.” They uphold and promote the importance of academics, leadership, development, and cooperation as some of their main pillars. The tradition of stepping, strolling, and calling actually originated within this council. Among the Divine Nine, the following seven can be currently found on the UF campus: 

1. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 

2. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

3. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

4. Sigma Gamma Rho, Sorority Inc. 

5. Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. 

6. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. 

7. Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. 

From experience, NPHC never fails to put on a good step and stroll performance during reveals and showcases. They are known to reach out and collaborate with other organizations for events and dances. These brothers and sisters are always looking out for new additions to shape into fine, dedicated leaders. 

The next time you are unsure of whose letters are whose, don’t even worry. Just go see who they are and what they really stand for. You might meet someone inspiring from NPHC or someone else belonging to our other councils .